Patrick O'Connell

On clairty and brevity in writing

"I notice that you use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English - it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in. When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them - then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are wide apart. An adjective habit, or a wordy, diffuse, flowery habit, once fastened upon a person, is as hard to get rid of as any other vice."

Mark Twain

Naked words

I love words.

But for too long I've smothered my words with more words. Words come out of my mouth quickly. I don't choose them well.

Too many words together lose their effectiveness.

Henceforth, I want my words out to be as naked as possible.

It's clarity that I am after.

Starting over—well sort of…

I began Atropica two years ago because I wanted to blog. But I had no focus for it. As a result, I have never really been satisfied with my effort.

Now, I have a focus--and direction.

So I am starting over. Sometimes it's good to just start over.

Welcome.